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You never know with these things, but it appears this week’s most-anticipated postgame handshake could occur without incident.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur, who played against Jim Harbaugh in college, has various ties to the Harbaugh family and he characterized his relationship with the 49ers coach as “friendly and professional” this morning in a conference call with the Bay Area media.

Shurmur, an offensive lineman at Michigan State from 1984-87, first crossed paths with Harbaugh in college when Harbaugh played quarterback at Michigan (1983-86).

Shurmur has since served as an Eagles assistant with Ravens coach John Harbaugh from 1999-2007 and gotten to know the Harbaugh’s father, Jack. In addition, he knows the Harbaugh’s brother-in-law, Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean, from his days as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1988-97. Crean was a graduate assistant basketball coach at MSU from 1989-90.

“I would say that Jim and I are friendly and professional,” Shurmur said. “When I see him, we interact. I would say it’s a professional relationship.”